From correspondent Virginia Bridges
William Wilson, a Duke biology professor, has withdrawn his name from the applicants seeking the Durham County Board of Commissioners seat vacated by Becky Heron.
In an email to the county, Wilson said he has a teaching conflict Tuesday, when commissioners plan to interview the nine other candidates.
"Second, and most importantly, the nearly 81,000 Durham County voters that elected Commissioner Heron chose her as one of their representatives in all county matters, and when health concerns forced her retirement, those matters included her choice to best carry on that representation." he wrote. "Although her choice is not binding on the commission under North Carolina law, I firmly believe that she spoke for her constituents, and made a choice they would respect, in her support for Wendy Jacobs."
Wilson made a similar statement earlier this month at a Durham County Democratic Party meeting in which local party leaders voted to recommend Hampton Dellinger for the seat.
Anita Daniels, Wendy Jacobs, Pamela Karriker, Tonya Kemble, Rickey Padgett, Jane Redoble, Jane Volland and Sylvester Williams have also applied to finish out Heron's term.
